official website of John McLaughlin

Happy Birthday Maestro [update]

You can put your messages here… (last year 85 messages can we do better this year????)

[update]
Dearest Friends,

Once again the year turns another circle and once again I am overwhelmed by the warmth of your birthday greetings to me.
My birthdays always remind me of beautiful Earth orbiting our sun, and that I am part of this marvellous and mysterious cosmic dance. We dance here on earth and the stars and galaxies above and below dance also; there is only One Dance… Thanks to you all from the depths of my heart.

Happy Birthday John-You’ve been a big influence in my life. I road the elevator with you when I was a 19 year old kid at the Pontchartrain hotel in Detroit 12/30/1973-I couldn’t attend the concert because I was working(room service waiter)It was my birthday, and I was devastated.But you came strolling in with Billy Cobham and a couple of body guards and We all got in to the elevator. You looked at my name tag and said « hi Dan, would you like a cookie? » I accepted. What a story I had to tell to all my Mahavishnu buddies! Thanks John. I later ran in to Jerry Goodman and asked him if the Dance of Maya was in 20/8 and he said « yeh man ». Huge accomplishment for me because all of my friends were disagreeing about that.

Mister John! I thank God for You! I wish You happy birthday! God bless You! You are my favorit musician! Please,exuse me for my bad english,but I want You to know,that Your music have changed the life of the boy from a little city,that you had never heared:Alagir in North Osetia in Kaucasian mauntaines. Now I’m not a boy-I have lovely wife and children:girl and two boys,but everyone,of my friends and wellknow people,knows what do You mean to me! I realy love You,and I know God loves You very much! There many words,that I want to say… »I am dancing at the feet of my Lord, all is bliss, all is bliss, all is bliss… »!

THANK YOU for continually re-defining the guitar AND pure music in general. I remember hearing « Birds Of Fire » back in high school and how that recording forever changed the way I listened to and enjoyed music. I have been fortunate enough to see you twice with The One Truth Band, twice with The John McLaughlin Trio and most recently with The Five Peace Band. All AMAZING musical memories that I will never forget.

Peace, blessings, light and the happiest of birthdays to you Maestro!!

I have been your follower since I was a teenager. I have been trying to mimic exactly how you played in the ‘This Is The Way I Do It’ demos, from that, I started to gain greater insight and appreciation of your playing. And I cannot thank you enough for the joy that you bring to me in this regard. I sincerely hope that you can release your ‘song books’ (would be best with solo transcription) so that we music students can learn more and efficiently about your music.

1/4/14 ( the USA arrangement ) . Awesome ! Dear John , You are one of my best friends and top musicians and composers . You’re music has brought joy to my life since I first heard you in 1972 via Marbles . Plus Your music has taught me how to compose more advanced . I can say you are my Maestro ! Happy Birthday . I thank GOD for you and I’m thankful to you how you reach so many throughout the world ! May the Lord continue to bless You and Yours !

¡¡Feliz Cumpleaños!!Thank you for the inspiration in my work. Would LOVE to take your portrait. Trying to get Carlos this year as well since he hangs out here more. Continue to inspire we need more happiness in this world and you maestro are a provider of this!

I come from India. The way you have internalized Indian music and rendered it is something that very few Indian musicians have been able to follow. The postcard you had sent me, with my name written on it and signed by you, made me cry like a baby. Thank you for being the greatest influence in my life. Thank you for everything sir:)

A very Happy 72nd Birthday to you, sir, and as I say each year, THANK YOU for all the incredible music all these years. Your achievement is quite staggering, and an ongoing inspiration to all of us aspiring guitarists. I wish you many more peaceful and productive years. Wade Krieg

Hi.
There are no words that can reflect what means John McLaughlin in my life. I have 54 now and I was 13 when I heard Mahavishnu Orchestra for first time. Life is easier when this music is around you. I don’t believe in anniversaries of any kind but it is a good opportunity to express my best wishes to the master John McLaughlin.
Fom Buenos Aires, Argentina.

When I was 20 years old,
I tried listening a latestry released jazz CD at a music store in Sapporo.
It was ‘Belo Horizonte (in que alegria).
I got a big shock.
It was the music kind like that which is not in my life by then.
I have been walking my life with your music since then.

happy birthday dear Maestro Yohn i, ma Bruno pedros flamenco guitarridst from napoli ..i give you my cd of 2001 remember me ..i hope to see you in my life again .
you ispirated and motivated about music and konnakkol .

Happy Birthday Maestro;
We are all fortunate to have you in the world. God bless You and Yours. Your prowess on your instrument has had life changing effects upon so many, my self included, that we are enriched by it as a nourishment for the soul. As a composer you prove to be a cornucopia of melody that makes our hearts sing. I have never heard someone who can have such a positive impact as you. Each time you draw from your sonic palette, one feels joy, and grace, and yet fire in a warm embrace of will. Again, Happy Birthday, wishing you many more to come.
An Ardent Fan,
Don Plue

Dear John
Many Happy Returns and may you continue the cosmic danse for manymany years to come
Blessings to thee ~ and thy family.
Good Luck always go with thee
Jah
Kind Regards Stanley ~
Basses of Eng
Currently Resting and Retuning All Modes
in south australia !

From Lotus Feet to New York On My Mind and Have You Heard The Voices and back to Meeting Of The Spirits and Two Sisters and then to Bello Horisonte and One Night Stand and Fallen Angels and Jazz Jungle-oh my!-and then back to Meeting of The Spirits-on a regular basis-and then Dark Prince and all the Miles stuff, all of it and the Free Spirits and David and Old Blues New Bruise and Raju-my daughter’s favorite- and …and and….down to the Shakti concert I attended a couple of months ago….this is my personal journey with your music. Thank you John, for all the music and the inspiration. And the the many hours in the woodshed.

Happy Birthday John!! You’ve been a big influence in my life. I remember in 1991 after one of your show here in Argentina, I was waiting for you to come out of the theater and when you walk you to your hotel told me see you again the other day when you comment that I could not because I got married and I hugged and wished good luck … I tell you that I’ve been married 22 years and many more listening to you. Thanks for giving us so much music. Greetings from Argetina MASTER!!!

I hope you had a great Birthday! I thank you for all you have shared with the world. The Mahavishnu Orchestra has had a profound impact on my life from a young age forward. I cannot imagine a world without « The Inner Mounting Flame » or « Birds of Fire » or « Apocalypse ». I own over 25 of your cd’s and consider you one of my favorite guitar players. Your music has been a part of my life for over 35 years. I thank you and wish you the best!

Happy Birthday! Just watching/listening to a 5 Peace in Vienna video and remembered your birthday. Sorry this is late. And thank you for making my life and this planet so much more beautiful. I’ve been a devoted fan since my mid teens. Looking forward to more music from you!

Dear John!
I have to post again, because here should be by now
1000 nds of birthdaywishes.
i mean we are talking here about John Mc Laughlin,
who tansmittes love, compassion, spirit, amd freedom
with each note with each sound with each rythm and with each
look through his eyes.
i normally would be in india now at shimla house, unfortunatly my health didnt allow it.
its like you once said, let your self be protectet by rythm, by music, and have trust.
noa- adays its very hard to find that trust-only in rare moments- at a concert with you, like it was the case with Nurat or shivji or some hidden singer on the streets of culcutta.
May there be a lot of ocasions to go and see you and be part of this.
Again all the best wishes.
Tabla Thomas 🙂

Dear John (fellow Capricorn :))
I have had the pleasure of meeting you at the VanDuzer Theatre after your concert a few years ago (Friend of Fred Walecki of Westwood Music Los Angeles). I hope you had a wonderful birthday filled with joy. I also hope our spirits meet again. Thank you for the inspiration and the music,
Best Regards,
Paul Auksztulewicz

Dear John. Just a note to say thank you for all the music over the years. I believe I first heard the original Mahavishnu Orchestra on an obscure double live album (can’t recall what the festival was) along with the likes of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. But it was Visions of the Emerald Beyond that captured my imagination and I enjoy everything I’ve heard of you from before and since. I might mention that the only time I’ve been able to see you live was here in Sydney with the Five Peace Band. I was struck by your humility as you played sideman for most of the night, even to the phenomenal rhythm section, Brian Blade and Christian McBride. I am FB Friends with Gary Husband and it’s wonderful to see his photos and news from your tours. Please return to Australia before long. Again, Many Thanks. Mick Hogan

Dear John
Thank-you so much for all the great music. I always anticipate the next
musical project, and so look forward to hearing where your muse has taken you.
Please come back to the Denver / Boulder area. We long to hear you play live.
Sincerely, John S.

Seems I’ve been bit late for your birthday greetings, however trying to catch up at the Chinese New Year. So, much happiness to you and your music. Your old fan since « Extrapolation » and « Inner Mounting Flame » (figure out, I’ve even managed liking « You know, you know » by my daughter, now 25). Conrad.

… better late than never, wishing you a very Happy Birthday and many more to come! Thank you for all of the incredible musical expressions and emotions that you have shared… I wonder how many millions of notes have emanated from your fingertips? Please keep them coming!!!

Happiest of birthdays John,
It was exciting to see and hear you and the 4th Dimension last summer in Asheville. And a great honor to meet you after the concert. Thanks again for your wonderful music.
Jim

Hello John,
happy birthday and many wishes and greetings to you!
I follow your music since a very long time, actually from the beginning of the first Mahavishnu recordings on.
Once a went on stage with Shakti in 1976 Montreux Festival accidently. I was very young at that time like you was. It was a great event and a wonderful concert, which i caught by chance. Sometime i watch the video on YouTube. A funny story.

I want to let you know: i’m a guitarist and you influenced me for a long time since the beginning of the 70ths, when i stated to play the instrument. And i want to thank you for being on this planet, creating a lot of great music projects and want to wish you all the best, health and inspiration for the future.

Happy Birthday Mr McLaughin…. You are truly living proof of the brilliance that human beings can accomplish in a lifetime. The Shakti performance in Athens was everything I could have dreamed to witness in a music performance. Thank you for your wonderful inspiration and for showing that wisdom does indeed blossom with age. Love from the USA.

« Sorry, we don’t speak Russian, but we speak music…and you all understand MUSIC. »

Best belated wishes for your birthday John. Been listening since the early 70s mate. Across the spectrum, Miles, Mahavishnu, Shakti, The guitar trio, with Katia, with Trilok, Skakti remembered, the 5 piece, the soundtracks, the 4th Dim, the dvd in the studio (fabulous), all of it, every skeric. I go back to the early material and I am never tired of it. There are many magic moments where it all comes together and floats above us, lifts us to another plane. This is the magic of music. I listen far and wide and am regularly staggered by this construct of mankind. You Sir, have cut a path in that construct and I am lucky to have been witness to it. Thanks for joy,… and maybe try to visit the antipodes slightly more often… Best Matt

Happy birthday and my very best wishes for happiness in 2014. I’ve been listening to your music since the Inner Mounting Flame. All of your music is a source of inspiration. I must say that your work with the 4th Dimension is the very best you’ve ever done!

Almost 30 years ago, I really enjoyed seeing you in concert hand in hand with Paco at the fronton of Hendaye (Pays Basque).
I am profoundly sorry for you because I could see how much you both loved playing together and the mutual understanding you seemed to have.
R.I.P Paco

Happy birthday my dearest musician and idol! I was so lucky to see you in Vienna 17.11.2013 and must say it was so inspiring evening that I was experiencing troubles with breathing! Also I would like to express my condolences for loss of your colleague and friend Paco de Lucia. I am so sorry.

Belated Birthday Wishes to you Sir,
you are a life long inspiration for me. Even met you a few times briefly in New York. Saw the band w/Marc Mondesier here in Vienna a few yrs back. A birthday present from my wife.
Anyway, continued health & happiness to you sir.
So sorry about Paco.
Cheers,
Robert

I don’t even know where to begin? I am a 33 year old jazz/ classical keyboard player who wishes to let you know you have been one of the few artists who has changed my life and given me the ability to be myself, to find my own sound. To me, You have always stood as a giant force against the corporate trash that attempt to infect the soul of all art.

You are an inspiration and an true example of the unique and unbreakable nature of our spirit as humans.

I am listening your music sinse i was 13 years old (1973) a cousin of mine who lived in london at that time came for holidays to GREECE and visit us i meet him for the first time. He brought with him same cassetes and among them was BIRDS OF FIRE at first i did
not understand it. But it was samething that felt GREAT!!!!
Since than (41 YEARS LATER) i still listen to your records all of them and they make me feel the same joy !!!! even better THANK YOU VERY MUTCH JOHN